With so many factors including various pollutants, over development, and
natural disasters affecting the life and welfare of birds, conservation of wild
bird habitats is as important as ever. Luckily, many people volunteer their time and
energy to help with the vital goal of changing the lives of birds for the
better. These heroes of bird conservation work diligently researching,
informing, and saving birds in numerous ways through conservation programs and
organizations. You can help too! The following are just a few of the most
popular organizations that you can join to help make a difference by conserving
and protecting birds and their habitats.

Nature Conservancy

With a strong, dedicated group of over 1 million members, the Nature
Conservancy protects over 11 million acres of wildlife habitat in the United
States and approximately 60 million acres in all of Canada, Latin America, Asia
and the Pacific, and the Caribbean. The mission of the Nature Conservancy is to
preserve animals, nature communities, and plants living on earth by protecting
the lands and waters these living creatures need to survive.

World Wildlife Fund

One of the more popular organizations thanks to the worldwide recognition of
the popular panda logo, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has spent years dedicated
to protecting the well-being of the world’s wildlife and wetlands. As the world’s largest privately supported
international conversation organization, the WWF has three global goals: To
protect endangered species, save endangered species, and address global threats
that face wildlife every day.

Partners in Flight

Partners in Flight is a cooperative effort composed of federal, state and
local government agencies, professional organizations, conservation groups,
philanthropic foundations, academic communities, and private individuals that
coordinate and combine to achieve success in conserving the lives of the bird
population living in North and South America. With over 40 non-government
organizations, 60 state fish and wildlife agencies, and 16 federal agencies,
those involved with Partners in Flight take pride in their undying efforts to
make a change. The list of volunteers and organizations helping make this
possible is growing every day.

American Bird
Conservancy

One of the leaders in Partners in Flight, this nonprofit organization was
created to conserve wild birds and their habitats in this hemisphere. The key
and significant role of this organization is to specifically build coalitions
of conservation groups, individuals of the public, and scientists to take on
key bird priorities using the greatest resources available.

National Audubon
Society

The mission of the National Audubon Society is to conserve and restore
natural ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife for the benefit of
humanity and the earth's biological diversity. There are 100 Audubon Sanctuaries
and Nature Centers in the US. Membership exceeds 500,000.

Help Locally

While there are many national organizations to join, there are also several
opportunities to help birds at a local level, too. Bird lovers can work with
their local Audubon Chapter by ensuring local planning commissioners are
following existing conservation laws when approving new construction. Another
way is even simpler, go to your local post office and purchase Federal Duck
Stamps. The purchase from the sale of these stamps is used to protect wetlands.
You can help preserve a disappearing but valuable nature resource.

Whether you become a member of one of these international
organizations or you choose to help locally (or both!) it has become
frighteningly clear that there is a tremendous need to preserve the lives and
habitats of so many birds living in this hemisphere and beyond. Whatever you
can do to make a difference will help the efforts of so many already dedicating
their lives to this cause.